Third trimester

Your third trimester

We will see you more frequently in the third trimester, both to check your blood pressure, and discuss in more detail your preferences and plans for the delivery of your baby.

It is helpful if your partner or other support person can attend with you for at least one of these appointments, so they are aware of your preferences and can ask any questions they may have about the birth.

It is also worthwhile attending parent education classes provided in our rooms. These classes are conducted throughout the year and offer flexible options for attendance. A range of topics are covered, including labour and delivery, elective caesarean delivery, and helping siblings adjust to new babies.

Although some women seem to sail through their entire pregnancy, many women experience some degree of back or pelvic discomfort at times as the baby and uterus become larger and heavier. Many women also find that they have difficulty sleeping, as babies often love being awake and kicking in the middle of the night.

It is important to rest when you can. If you are having trouble coping with back or pelvic pain, it can be helpful to see a physiotherapist who looks after pregnant women, as specific exercises or special supportive garments can make a big improvement in your comfort level. We conduct pregnancy physiotherapy sessions in our rooms, so make sure to ask one of our friendly staff.

At around 35-36 weeks we will take a swab to look for a bacteria called Group B Streptococcus (GBS). If GBS is detected, we recommend that you have antibiotics when your waters break and throughout your labour to help protect the baby.

There are no other routine tests in the third trimester but if there are concerns about your health or the health or growth of your baby, it may be necessary to do further blood tests, ultrasounds or other tests such as fetal heart monitoring.

If you have any concerns during your third trimester—particularly if you experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or a decrease in baby’s movements—please call Adelaide Obstetrics & Fertility on 08 8272 7755 or contacting the Ashford Hospital Labour Ward directly on 08 8375 5237.